A Brief Update Since My September Pause

In September, I shared why I was taking a short pause from the You Matter Card project
(Why I’m Taking a Short Pause).
Rather than revisiting that explanation, this post is a practical update on what’s unfolded since then.

After that post, I continued placing You Matter Cards at Mount Pleasant Community Centre for organizations using the shared community space. Following repeated vandalism and theft, I made the decision to stop distribution there. While disappointing, it was a necessary boundary.

Since then, I’ve shifted the blog’s focus toward first-person accounts of local resources. Vee’s article on UGM is already published on the You Matter Card blog, and a shortened version linking to the full piece has also been shared on Facebook. This direction—centering lived experience rather than summaries—feels more aligned with the purpose of YMC. Future articles will continue in this vein, with planned pieces on The Gathering Place and Quest.

On a personal level, I’ve now connected with a registered dietitian through Constant Health to support my diet and exercise in a sustainable, evidence-based way. Reaching that point took time—both in terms of mental readiness and arranging funding through my trust. For a long while, I prioritized other people’s challenges ahead of my own recovery, something I’m now actively working to rebalance.

I’ve continued volunteering where capacity allowed. I worked with the Helping Hands Foundation outreach program in my neighbourhood, valuing the structure and the chance to give back, even though physical limitations meant the role wasn’t sustainable for me long-term. I’m grateful to Prince and his team, and the door remains open should my health improve.

I’ve also volunteered with Rainbow Refugee in a limited, in-person greeter role. During a period of short staffing following the departure of a key team member, additional on-site support was clearly needed to help day-to-day operations run smoothly while a suitable replacement was being sought. My role focused on welcoming clients and supporting front-of-house operations rather than stepping into any core staff position.

For the foreseeable future, the You Matter Card blog will continue to include guest contributions, beginning with Vee. Her writing offers a vulnerable, first-person perspective on navigating local resources—something I believe is essential to the integrity of this project.

This update isn’t about restarting or pausing again. It’s simply an honest snapshot of where things are now, and how the You Matter Card continues to evolve in a way that’s more sustainable for everyone involved.